Saab 9-3 Convertible M2003 User manual

1
Owner’s Manual
Saab 9-3 Convertible M2003
© Saab Automobile AB 2002
Service Readiness, Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden
Printed in Sweden
Safety 11
Security 35
Soft top 47
Instruments and controls 57
Saab 9-3 Audio System 91
OnStar - Telematics 109
Interior equipment, trunk 121
Starting and driving 133
Car care 173
Maintenance and owner assistance 221
Technical data 225
Index 239
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2
Introduction
This manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
The Saab 9-3 Convertible is available with a
2.0L turbo-engine, 205 hp.
Although the manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not include precise specifica-
tions of the different variants. Some differ-
ences also occur to meet special legal
requirements in different countries.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by General Motors of
Canada Limited in Canada and by Saab
Cars USA, Inc. in the U.S.A.
We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and that you keep it in the car for future
reference.
To find a specific item, use the overviews
given on pages 3–6. A list of contents is
given at the beginning of each section of the
manual, and there is also a comprehensive
index at the back of the book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranties and
Service Record booklet and a tire warranty
folder which specifies the regular mainte-
nance to be carried out. The book also con-
tains important warranty conditions:
Since the policy at Saab is one of continual
improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-
rate modifications and to alter specifications
during production without prior notice.
If you have any questions concerning your
car, its equipment, the warranty conditions
or the like, your Saab dealer will be pleased
to help.
Best wishes,
Saab Automobile AB
Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
The specifications, design particulars and illus-
trations included in the manual are not binding.
WARNING
WARNING texts warn against the danger
of injury if the specified instructions are
not followed.
NOTICE
NOTICE texts warn of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
IB2036
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3
Instrument panel
High/low beam ________________ 73
Parking lights __________________ 73
Daytime running lights ___________ 73
Changing bulbs _______________ 188
High/low beam control stalk 73
Direction indicators _______ 74
Cruise Control __________ 152
Rear fog light ___________ 75
Front fog lights___________ 75
Instrument lighting ________ 76
Warning and indicator lights _____ 58
Tachometer __________________ 64
Speedometer _________________ 64
Odometer and trip meter ________ 64
Gauge showing turbo pressure ___ 65
Fuel gauge __________________ 66
Temperature gauge ____________ 65
IB731
Ashtray (accessory) ___________ 126
Cigarette lighter (accessory) ____ 126
Saab Information Display (SID) ___ 67
Night panel __________________ 71
Clock _______________________ 72
Washers and wipers ______ 76
Replacing wiper blades __ 186
Audio system____________ 92
CD player ______________ 98
Hazard warning lights _____ 74
Climate control system:
manual ________________ 77
Climate control system:
automatic ______________ 81
Car care ______________ 173
Seat heating controls _____ 16
Steering-wheel-mounted
controls, Audio System ___ 104
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4
Exterior Soft top_________________ 48
Washing the car _________ 210
Waxing and polishing ____ 212
Touching-up of paintwork _ 212
Anticorrosion treatment ___ 213
Taillights _______________ 190
Brake lights ____________ 190
Light switches ___________ 73
Changing bulbs _________ 188
Towing ________________ 167
Towrope attachment eyes _ 167
Towing a trailer _________ 162
Trunk lock_______________ 39
Lowering the rear seat ____ 129
Trunk _________________ 129
Spare wheel ___________ 132
Tools _________________ 132
Lighting _______________ 190
Hood release handle ___________ 174
Engine compartment: washing ___ 210
Central locking __________ 36
Interior locking buttons ____ 37
Trunk lock ______________ 39
Car alarm (Anti-theft system) 41
Headlight switches _______ 73
High/low beam control stalk 73
Turn signal & lane change
indicators ______________ 74
Headlight wipers ________ 186
Changing bulbs ________ 188
Fuel filler door __________ 140
Refuelling _____________ 140
Fuel grade _____________ 230
Fuel gauge _____________ 66
Fuel economy __________ 159
Tires & Wheels ___________ 199 / 233
Tire pressure ________________ 234
Driving in cold weather ________ 160
Brakes and braking ___________ 153
Compact spare wheel _________ 203
Changing a wheel ____________ 204
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5
Interior
Power steering _________ 232
Steering-wheel adjustment 123
Airbag _________________ 28
Internal rearview mirror ________ 128
Door mirrors ________________ 128
Vanity mirror ________________ 125
Safety belts _____________ 18
Safety-belt care ________ 208
Airbag _________________ 28
Child seats _____________ 23
Glove compartment _____ 126
Manual transmission ____ 144
Automatic transmission __ 145
IB2038
Seat adjustment _________ 12
Safety belts _____________ 18
Seat heating ____________ 16
Rear seat _____________ 129
Folding down the rear seat 129
Child seats _____________ 23
Upholstery: cleaning _____ 209
Interior lighting switch _________ 124
Interior lighting: changing bulbs __ 192
Center console ______________ 122
Electric windows _____________ 122
Soft top______________________ 48
Ignition switch _______________ 134
Starting the engine ___________ 135
Engine break-in period ________ 144
Parking ____________________ 157
Driving in hot/cold weather _____ 160
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6
Engine bay
Warning labels ___________ 7
V.I.N. number __________ 235
Engine number _________ 235
Gearbox number ________ 235
Color coding ___________ 235
Ignition system _________ 231
Drive belt ______________ 185
Alternator _____________ 185
Spark plugs ____________ 231
Catalytic converter ______ 139
Simple fault tracing
(A/C, ACC) ____________ 217
Turbo-compressor ________ 65
Pressure gauge __________ 65
Important considerations
for driving _____________ 137
Technical data: engine ___ 228
Manual transmission __________ 179
Automatic transmission ________ 179
Transmission oil ______________ 179
Gearbox: technical data ________ 231
Battery _____________________ 183
Battery charge _______________ 183
Jump starting ________________ 169
IB1624
Engine: description ____________ 176
Engine oil, level control
and topping up ________________ 178
Engine oil: changing ___________ 178
Oil grade_____________________ 229
Washer fluid ___________ 187
Topping up with fluid _____ 187
Washer jets ___________ 187
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 76
Steering servo _______________ 183
Fluid checking
and topping up _______________ 183
Coolant, checking
and topping up _________ 180
Coolant _______________ 181
Temperature gauge ______ 65
Driving in hot weather ____ 162
Driving in cold weather ___ 160
Fuse panels ___________ 194
Changing a fuse ________ 194
Table of fuses __________ 196
Relays _______________ 198
Brake system ________________ 232
Brake fluid __________________ 182
Brake pads __________________ 182
ABS brakes _________________ 153
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7
Coolant:
Never open while engine is hot.
Escaping coolant under pressure can cause
serious injuries.
Drive belt:
Moving belt. Do not
touch while engine
running.
Radiator fan:
The radiator fan can cut in even
after engine has been switched off.
Battery:
•No sparks, flames or smoking.
•Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause blindness or injury.
•Sulphuric acid can cause blindness or severe burns.
•Flush eyes immediately with water. Get medical help fast.
•Do not tip battery, do not open battery.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Warning labels
A/C system:
Refrigerant at high pressure.
Do not undo or remove any connections in the A/C system
until the system has been emptied. Working the wrong way
may result in injury. Work on the A/C system must be left
to qualified personnel only. For working instructions, see
the Workshop Handbook.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Refrigerant: 770 g of R134a.
Compressor oil: 150 cc PAG Oil SP-10, or
SAAB oil 4759106 SP-10.
•AVOID SPARKS, AVOID OPEN FLAMES, NO SMOKING
•PROTECT YOUR EYES
•KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
•ACID
•SEE MANUAL
•FLAMMABLE GAS
Wheel changing:
Intended for the Saab 9-5 and 9-3. Use the jack
only on firm, level ground. Use blocks. Max.
jack load: 2200 lbs. (1000 kg). For further infor-
mation, see the manual.
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8
Jack
–The jack is designed only for changing a tire or mount-
ing tire snow chains.
–Car must be level and jack must be placed on firm and
level ground.
–Never crawl under car while it is jacked up.
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS
1 Set parking brake and shift transmission to park.
2 Fit top of jack into jacking point next to wheel that to
be changed (See illustration).
3 Crank jack until so that car begins to lift.
4 Remove center cap by inserting a screw driver under
cap prying up.
5 Using socket wrench in tool kit, loosen wheels bolts
one-half turn.
6 Raise car so that tire clears ground. Loosen wheel
bolts completely and remove wheel.
7 Mount spare wheel and tighten bolts enough so
wheel is not loose.
8 Lower car. Tighten wheel bolts in crosswise order
(See illustration).
Observe max. speed limit for spare tire.
IB934
Soft top
Push the handle in before
driving away.
There would otherwise be
a risk of injury.
Soft top
Do not lean over top or sit in the rear seat
while activated.
Brake fluid
Clean filler cap before removing. Use only
Dot 4 fluid from sealed container.
CANADA
USA
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
•Children 12 and under can be killed by the air
bag.
•The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for chil-
dren.
•NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front.
•Sit as far back as possible from the air bag.
•ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD
RESTRAINTS
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9
No sparks,
flames or
smoking.
Buckle up
Shield eyes Airbag
Keep out
of reach
of children.
Electric
windows
Battery acid
contains sul-
phuric acid.
Central
locking
Refer to the
Owner’s
Manual.
Never place a
rear-facing
child seat in
this seat.
Risk of
explosive gas.
Headlights Windshield
wipers
Direction
indicators
Windshield
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard
warning lights
Rear window
heating
Front fog
lights Ventilation fan
Rear fog lights
Coolant
temperature Radiator fan
Battery
charging Fuel
Foot brake
Coolant level
Engine oil
pressure
ABS brakes
Examples of symbols that can be found in your car
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10
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11
Safety
Seats ................................. 12
Head restraint................... 17
Safety belts....................... 18
Child safety....................... 23
Airbag................................ 28
IB2040
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12 Safety
Seats
The following seat adjustments can be
made to achieve a comfortable driving
position:
•Height (driver´s seat)
•Legroom
•Backrest rake angle
•Lumbar support
•Head-restraint height
We recommend that adjustments to the
driver’s seat be performed in the following
order:
1 Height
2 Legroom
3 Backrest rake angle
Lastly, adjust the steering wheel (see
page 123).
Side airbags
See page 30.
Head restraint
See page 17.
Height adjustment, driver’s seat
Lift the lever to raise the seat. The lever is
spring-loaded to return to its neutral posi-
tion. Repeated lifting of the lever will
increase the height in steps.
Press down the lever to lower the seat.
Repeated downward presses of the lever
will lower the seat in steps.
Legroom adjustment
Lift the lever under the front of the seat and
slide the seat to the desired position.
WARNING
Never adjust the driver’s seat except
when the car is stationary.
WARNING
Check that the seat is locked in the new
position. If not, it may move while the car
is being driven and it could result in injury
to the occupant in the event of a crash.
IB803
IB801
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13Safety
Backrest rake angle
To find the most comfortable position, turn
the knob to provide stepless adjustment of
the backrest.
Front seats
Both front seats have release levers on the
outside of the backrest. The passenger seat
also has a release on the inside of the back-
rest so that the driver can tilt the backrest for
the convenience of rear-seat passengers.
Raise the release levers to tip the backrest
forward.
Lumbar support
Turn the smaller knob for stepless adjust-
ment of the lumbar support.
WARNING
The backrest should be upright during
driving, so that the safety belt, airbag and
backrest can provide optimum protection
in the event of emergency braking or a
crash, in particular a rear-end collision.
IB802
Adjusting the backrest
1 Catch, backrest
IB804
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14 Safety
Manually adjustable front seats with
”Easy Entry”function
Manual seats have a feature called ”Easy
Entry”, which facilitates movement to and
from the rear seat.
Activate ”Easy Entry”as follows:
1 Raise the release lever and hold it in its
uppermost position until the backrest is
tipped forward.
2 Slide the seat forward. The whole seat is
now shifted to its forward position.
Resetting:
1 Slide the seat back to the desired
position.
2 Fold the backrest to the upright position.
Lock the front to rear seat adjustment.
After resetting you should ensure that the
backrest and seat are properly secured.
WARNING
•Always check that the catch engages
properly after the backrest is raised.
•Check also that the seat’s lateral
adjuster is properly secured by trying
to shift the seat. Both the backrest and
the whole seat must be locked in
place; otherwise you are at risk of
injury during braking or in a crash
especially if a rear-facing child seat is
fitted behind the backrest.
IB805
Manually adjusted front seat
1 Release lever, tipping backrest forward
2 Activation of the ”Easy Entry”feature when
the backrest is tipped forward
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15Safety
Electrically adjustable front seats
(certain variants)
Both seats can be operated from outside
when one of the front doors is opened, to
improve access to the car.
For safety reasons, if the door is closed, the
seat can only be adjusted when the ignition
is ON.
Note, that both front seats can be adjusted
up to 30 seconds after the door has been
closed.
Height
Raise the seat by lifting the front switch bar
straight up.
Lower the seat by pushing the front switch
bar down.
The same switch bar can be used to adjust
the height of the front and rear edges of the
seat independently by moving half of the
switch in the direction desired.
Legroom adjustment
For power seats, slide the switch bar for-
ward or rearward to the desired position.
WARNING
The seats are actuated by powerful
motors. Bear this in mind when adjusting
the seat, and make sure that nothing gets
caught and damaged. Ensure that noth-
ing can be trapped when adjusting the
seat.
Bear in mind that children can be injured
if they play with the electrically-operated
seats.
Always remove the ignition key when you
leave the car to prevent personal injury
caused by the electrically adjustable
seats, for example, due to children play-
ing.
IB807
IB806
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16 Safety
Backrest rake angle
Push the rear lever forward or rearward to
adjust the rake angle of the backrest.
Memory function (certain variants)
In some variants the electrically adjustable
driver’s seat has a memory function. Three
different settings can be programmed.
1 Make the desired adjustments to the
seat setting.
2 Store the setting of the seat by keeping
the ”M”depressed and at the same time
pressing one of the memory buttons, 1,
2 or 3. Hold the buttons depressed until
the Saab information Display (SID) pro-
vides acknowledgement with a chime.
When you next wish to activate the memory
function, keep the desired memory button
depressed while the seat adopts the pro-
grammed settings.
To change any of the three programmed
settings, repeat stages 1 and 2.
Electrically heated front seats
(option on some model vari-
ants/markets)
Both front seats can be equipped with heat-
ing for the seat cushion and backrest. It is
switched on and off using the buttons on the
instrument panel.
The heating is thermostatically controlled. It
comes on when the temperature of the seat
cushion goes below 79°F (26°C) and turns
off when it reaches 97°F (36°C).
Shut off the heating once the seat is warm.
IB808
IB809
IB810
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17Safety
Head restraint
The front seats in the Saab 9-3 are
equipped with Saab Active Head Restraints
(SAHRs). These reduce the risk of whiplash
injury if the car is hit from behind.
In the event of a rear-end crash, the body is
forced back against the backrest. This, in
turn, causes the mechanism to press the
head restraint forward and upward, thus lim-
iting the backward movement of the head.
The SAHR is a mechanical system, actu-
ated by body weight. The mechanism is built
into the top of the backrest, where it is con-
nected to the head restraint.
Because the SAHR is mechanically oper-
ated, it does not need to be replaced after a
minor rear-end crash.
The head restraint can be raised or lowered
and is adjustable in various positions.
•Raising: grasp the head restraint on both
sides and pull it straight up.
•Lowering: depress the catch on the
left-hand side of the attaching point and
press the head restraint down.
WARNING
Adjust the head restraint so that the head
is optimally supported and the center of
the head restraint is at ear height, thus
reducing the likelihood of neck injury in a
crash.
IB400
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18 Safety
Safety belts
Three-point inertia-reel safety belts are pro-
vided for all seats.
The results of studies show that it is equally
important to wear safety belts in the rear
seat as in the front seats.
Safety-belt reminder
When the ignition is switched on, the ”fasten
belts”reminder will light up until the driver
fastens the safety belt. In addition an audi-
ble signal sounds for 6 seconds, or until the
driver fastens his belt.
WARNING
Safety belts must be worn at all times by
all car occupants. Child safety, see page
23.
Check that the locking tongue is properly
locked in the belt lock.
WARNING
In the event of a crash, the rear-seat pas-
sengers not wearing a seatbelt will thrown
forward against the front-seat backrests.
The stresses imposed on the front seat
passengers and belts are multiplied and
can result in needless injury or even
death for all car occupants.
FASTEN BELTS
IB1302
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19Safety
Safety-belt pretensioners
The belts of the front seats are fitted with
automatic pretensioners, which are acti-
vated in the event of a severe frontal crash
or very violent rear-end crash. They serve to
reduce the forward movement of the body
by tensioning the belt.
The belt pretensioners do not activate in
less violent frontal or rear-end crashes.
Correct position for safety belt
•The lap part of the belt should be pulled
as tightly as comfortable and as low as
possible across the hips, so that it is just
touching the top of the thighs. The shoul-
der belt should be well in on the shoulder
but not touching the neck.
•Check to ensure that the belt is not twisted
or rubbing against any sharp edges.
•There should not be any slack in the belt.
Pull the belt tight –particularly important
when thick outer clothing is worn. It
is advisable to remove thick items of
clothing.
•Refrain from tilting the backrest more than
necessary, as the safety belt provides
better protection when the seat is in the
more upright position.
•Only one person per safety belt!
•For most of the time a safety belt is worn,
the retractor will allow the wearer freedom
of movement. The retractor locks up auto-
matically if the belt is jerked or withdrawn
sharply, the car tilts, the brakes are
applied hard or a crash occurs.
WARNING
If the car is involved in a crash, the safety
belts, belt pretensioners and other com-
ponents must be inspected by an autho-
rized Saab dealer and replaced as neces-
sary.
Never make any alterations or repairs to
the safety belt yourself. Visit an autho-
rized Saab dealer for any necessary
repairs.
WARNING
Proper positioning of the safety belt is
extremely important. An out of position
safety belt can result in the wearer sliding
underneath the belt in a crash (submarin-
ing) and injury can result from the lap por-
tion cutting into the abdomen.
WARNING
If two people share a belt, they risk injury
by being crushed together in the event of
a crash.
IB816
Correctly positioned safety belt.
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20 Safety
•Children who have grown out of a child
seat should be restrained by the car’s
standard three-point belts. Make sure that
the shoulder belt is not in contact with the
neck or throat. If it is, a booster seat/cush-
ion may be necessary.
Front seat belts
Fasten the belt by pulling the belt and insert-
ing the tongue in the buckle. Check that it is
securely fastened.
The lower outer anchorage point is in the
rear of the sill, which makes it all the more
important that the lap strap is not slack
during use.
Grasp the shoulder belt close to the buckle
and pull the belt towards the shoulder to
tighten the lap belt part.
The belt must be as far in on the shoulder as
possible.
To release the belt, press the red button on
the belt buckle, as illustrated.
See page 208 for the checking of belt func-
tion, cleaning etc.
WARNING
Never fasten the safety belt with the
shoulder belt behind the body or pull the
belt off the shoulder and under the arm.
IB2041
To fasten the belt
IB2042
Press the red button to release the belt.
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